Chapter 300: Nina Being Manipulated
With a single "Trace" cast, Euphemia's injuries were completely healed.
Her pale complexion regained its rosy hue, the torn pink-and-white gown on her body restored to its original state, no longer stained with any blood.
Even the blood that had flooded the tabletop vanished as if by magic.
"Phew~"
Mahiro wiped nonexistent sweat from his forehead and slowly exhaled.
"Finally done."
At this moment, Kaguya and Nunnally were completely stunned.
They blinked in disbelief at the still-unconscious princess, then looked at Mahiro with astonishment.
Their gaze seemed to have witnessed something that shattered their worldview...
No, it truly was worldview-shattering.
Even though Nunnally had received treatment from Mahiro and mental adjustment from Mahiro's aunt.
But to instantly pull Euphemia back from death's door when she was barely breathing...
"How inexperienced."
Beta, standing guard in the corner, secretly mocked their reaction in her heart.
Merely reviving a dying person—even if they were already dead, her Mahiro-sama could still bring them back!
In Beta's eyes, Mahiro was an omnipotent existence!
"Thank you, Mahiro-sensei."
Nunnally suddenly turned and bowed deeply to Mahiro.
Though she didn't fully understand what had happened, saving Euphy-sister was enough.
But Mahiro shook his head:
"This is nothing."
As he spoke, his gaze returned to Euphemia, resting on her exquisite, sleeping beauty-like face.
Although he had saved Euphy, the actual problem remained unresolved.
Among the Britannian imperial family, Euphy was one of the few princes and princesses who most desired peace and had the fewest personal ambitions.
She had even expended tremendous effort to establish the Japanese Special Zone.
Yet in the end, due to an out-of-control Geass, she committed an irreparable mistake—though this was originally part of a conspiracy by V.V., Charles, and Schneizel.
Unknowingly, Euphemia had long become a pawn in this three-way game.
The best and simplest way to extract her from this whirlpool of conflict was death.
Moreover, if Euphy didn't die, how could Freya be born? How could Cornelia be made to submit?
Though the methods were somewhat despicable, it was something that had to be done.
Mahiro never considered himself someone with excessive saintly qualities or a world-saving hero—rather, he was an unscrupulous villain.
But after death, Euphy would also face new depression and guilt.
As for who would help Euphy overcome this depression and guilt...
Mahiro's mind involuntarily conjured the image of a haughty figure in deep purple.
After handling everything and having Beta take away the still-unconscious Euphemia for placement,
Mahiro returned alone to his room.
But the moment he opened the door, he heard C.C.'s somewhat resentful voice coming from the bedroom.
"...Finished your business?"
Though the voice carried some resentment, it also sounded equally weak.
He instinctively walked into the open bedroom and saw C.C. lying on the bed without any regard for appearance, her emerald-green hair spread across the pure white sheets like an unrolled painting.
Even the Code mark with its bird pattern was completely exposed.
Traces of sweat remained on her forehead, and her chest rose and fell rapidly, as if she had just finished some intense activity.
"What's... wrong with you?"
Mahiro asked curiously, as he had never seen her like this before.
"Nothing."
C.C. sat up, covering her forehead with her hand. Though she claimed to be fine, her face was noticeably paler than usual, and her calm expression held a hint of pain.
"Headache?"
Mahiro guessed, and this time C.C. remained silent but didn't deny it, essentially confirming his suspicion.
However, how could an immortal, ageless woman suffer from a headache?
At first, he didn't believe it, but then he suddenly thought of something and spoke up:
"Is it because of V.V.?"
As soon as the words left his mouth, C.C. abruptly raised her head, staring at him with a shocked expression, her slightly widened eyes filled with inquiry.
Her look seemed to ask, "How did you know?"
"Of course I know."
Mahiro smiled, pulled over a chair, and sat down in front of her, explaining gently:
"Not only do I know the name V.V., but I also know he is the older brother of the curly-haired emperor and, like you, possesses the Code mark—the power of immortality, right?"
This time, C.C. didn't deny it but nodded lightly.
Though V.V. possessed the Code mark, he had no connection to her, C.C., and she didn't know where his Code came from either.
C.C. had once suspected the existence of others like herself and had searched for them.
But after a long time—perhaps hundreds of years—she still hadn't found any others, as if she were the only one in this world blessed—or cursed—with this immortal power.
It wasn't until she was invited to Britannia that she first learned of V.V.'s existence.
But how did the man before her know about this?
Other things, she could still understand, but V...
"Don't speculate wildly. I've said it before—there are very few things in this world that can escape my notice. Not only do I know of V.V.'s existence, but I also know that V.V. is currently in Japan and has likely already found Suzaku Kururugi by now."
C.C.: "?"
The woman slowly formed a question mark in her mind.
"Why would he seek out that man?"
"To deal with Lelouch, of course~"
Mahiro smiled faintly, a meaningful expression appearing on his face.
And everything was unfolding exactly as Mahiro had speculated.
At that moment, Suzaku, immersed in the grief of Euphemia's death and the fact that even her body had been taken away, was staring blankly at the key to the Lancelot in his hand.
Tears continuously fell, dripping onto the ground.
But just then, Suzaku Kururugi suddenly noticed footsteps approaching from behind.
Turning around, he saw a young child.
He stood before Suzaku, dressed in garments resembling those of a mysterious religious bishop, a cryptic smile playing on his lips.
"A child? But why are you in the Viceroy's Palace?"
The child opposite paid no heed to his astonishment. Dragging her pale golden wavy hair that cascaded to the floor like a skirt's hem, she spoke in a youthful voice devoid of emotion:
"Nice to meet you, Suzaku Kururugi. My name is V.V."
"V.V.?"
Suzaku Kururugi slightly furrowed his brow, unable to grasp the meaning behind this name.
Or rather, it didn't seem like a name at all—more like a codename.
But V.V. ignored him again and continued on her own:
"Suzaku Kururugi, you must want to avenge Euphemia and kill Zero right now, don't you?"
"!!!"
Hearing the name Zero, Suzaku's eyes instantly sharpened, his gaze turning fierce as he demanded:
"Just who are you?!"
"I am V.V., the one who knows all truths. I can tell you about the true faces hidden behind Zero and Shadow's disguises, as well as the whole truth about that power called 'Geass'—"
At that moment, Suzaku Kururugi's still heart began to beat once more.
The uprising in the Japanese Special Administrative Zone involved approximately 300,000 Japanese participants in the ceremony, yet only about 60,000 to 70,000 survived. The majority of Japanese people tragically fell under Britannia's slaughter.
Moreover, this massacre was deliberately spread throughout the world. Immediately, from Area 7 to Area 18—newly invaded and unstable Britannian colonies—large-scale riots erupted. Anti-Britannian sentiment across the globe reached its peak!
Capitalizing on this emotion and leveraging Euphemia's death, Lelouch incited all survivors, uniting their beliefs and strength into a single rope, temporarily transforming the Black Knights into an army capable of confronting a nation.
"Here we declare independence from Britannia, but this does not mean reviving the former Japan. We will not repeat past mistakes. The Japan we shall create from now on will be a nation that embraces all races, histories, and ideologies with broad-mindedness, protecting the weak from oppression by the strong. Its name shall be—the United States of Japan!"
From the shattered podium, Zero announced the establishment of the United States and prepared to launch a full-scale assault on the settlement and the Viceroy's Palace.
However, Euphy's death triggered not only colonial uprisings but also the madness of two women.
When Cornelia arrived at the Viceroy's Palace and learned that her sister Euphemia had fallen in battle while her knight Beatrix had disappeared without a trace, her heart shattered into despair before gradually turning numb and cold.
It was as if she had come to understand something.
Upon learning that the Black Knights were preparing to launch a massive attack on the settlement, she desperately rallied her forces. In the name of mourning and avenging Euphemia, she vowed to annihilate the Black Knights on the spot.
This time, the assertive one directly gave orders to Gino and Anya, who were Knights of Rounds.
Gino and Anya merely exchanged a glance and did not refuse.
An unprecedented great war was about to erupt due to Euphemia's death.
Meanwhile, Ashford Academy was also in turmoil, completely devoid of its usual tranquility.
Nina, staying in the basement, was crouched in front of a computer, frantically calculating data. The other end of the data cable was connected to something resembling a nuclear warhead.
"Nina..."
Milly, who had come to the basement, called out to the busy girl with deep concern, especially when she noticed the madness and hatred in the girl's eyes, which pained her greatly.
"Don't stop me! I want to avenge Her Highness Euphemia!"
Nina raised her head and glared fiercely.
The ferocious look in her eyes made Milly instinctively take two steps back.
She and Nina had been childhood playmates, but this was the first time she had seen this side of Nina.
Seeing this, Mahiro stepped forward and patted Milly's shoulder.
"..."
"It's alright, let me handle this."
Mahiro signaled with his eyes for Milly to leave. After hesitating and watching the two for a long time, Milly finally nodded, deciding to leave the situation to him and returning upstairs alone to maintain order at the school.
"Nina."
"Don't come any closer!"
As soon as he tried to approach, Nina harshly rebuked him.
Nina lifted her head, her face distorted by hatred, with streams of tears falling.
Choking up, she asked: "Why... why did you, Teacher, allow Zero to kill Her Highness Euphemia! Wasn't Her Highness your student?! Why were you so cruel? Even though... even though Her Highness admired and respected you so much..."
As she spoke, Nina could no longer hold back, her eyes reddening as she burst into loud sobs.
"You already know?"
"Yes!"
Nina wiped away her tears without any regard for ladylike demeanor, glaring at him fiercely as she replied, "I already know—you are Shadow!"
Mahiro was somewhat surprised.
He hadn't expected this girl to be so clever; she truly lived up to the Einstein surname.
In reality, Nina had only suspected it at first. Later, during a conversation with Euphemia, she received confirmation from Euphemia herself.
At that time, the two were like close friends who could talk about anything. Euphemia, without any airs, conversed with her, a "commoner" who had lost her family's glory, and shared the future she envisioned in her heart.
However, Nina never imagined that Her Highness Euphemia would have her dream cut short at its very first step, strangled in its cradle.
From then on, they were separated by life and death.
"But I understand... Teacher, you're actually a good person, and you're not the one who killed Her Highness Euphemia. You even saved my life... So... so I beg you, don't stop me, don't stop me from avenging Her Highness Euphemia..."
As she said this, Nina's tone was almost pleading.
Facing Mahiro, who had once saved her and become one of the only two lights in her life, she didn't want to become enemies with him.
Hearing this, Mahiro simply revealed a faint smile and said:
"Who said I was going to stop you?"
"Eh?"
His words made Nina freeze momentarily, staring at him with a bewildered expression.
Meanwhile, Mahiro stepped forward and spoke again:
"Not only am I not stopping you, I came here to assist you in completing the final simulation experiment."
"But... but aren't you with Zero?"
This time, Nina grew even more confused.
Mahiro chuckled lightly: "Who said I'm with Zero? Zero and I merely have a cooperative relationship—I provide some assistance to make the situation appear more balanced, but in reality I'm neutral~
Moreover, compared to Zero, I'd rather help you."
To be more precise, it was for the Freya prototype bomb in Nina's possession—this was his final objective in this surface world. Once he obtained it, he could prepare to find the curly-haired one and investigate this so-called Ragnarök.
However, seeing Nina covering her mouth while sobbing, looking completely incredulous, he thought she still didn't believe him, so he dropped an even bigger bombshell.
"And Nina-san, would you like to see Euphemia again?"
"What did you say?"
Nina trembled as she moved away from the computer, taking shaky steps toward him until her delicate hands tightly grasped his collar.
"What did you say...? I can see Her Highness Euphy again...?"
"Yes, that's right, you can see her."
Mahiro stated affirmatively, his serious eyes showing no deception.
"You must have seen the reports about Euphy's body being taken."
"You mean... you revived Her Highness Euphy?!"
"Correct, though Euphy's body is still very weak and needs some time to recover. During this period, I hope to complete this Sakuradite annihilation reaction simulation experiment together with you, Nina-san."
Only now had he finally revealed his purpose for coming here.
And the look in Nina's eyes as she gazed at him no longer held tears, but gradually became serious, faintly glimmering.
"I don't believe you, you're lying to me."
"Whether you believe me or not is your business. Right now you only have two choices: first, complete the final experimental calculations and simulations with me, then I'll have someone take you to see Euphy; second, abandon the experiment here and now, give up your chance for revenge against Zero and leave, then I'll complete the experiment alone."
After saying this, he brushed past Nina and strode toward the computer where the simulation had been paused.
Actually, he had two reasons for wanting to recruit Nina. First, he genuinely admired Nina's intelligence—this girl's mind was no inferior to Eta and Sherry's, and he was indeed lacking talent in this area.
Second, he wanted to find more companions for Euphy.
He knew very well that Nina was one of Euphy's few friends.
However, when he reached the computer and began operating the data, he discovered something quite serious—the calculation data before him was just a tad bit difficult...
This chain reaction simulation primarily involving uranium and Sakuradite was almost entirely incomprehensible to him.
It was several times more complex than Material Burst.
Truly worthy of Einstein...
Meanwhile, Nina was gently biting her thin lips, her entire being frighteningly calm at this moment.
Yet after standing still for several seconds watching his busy figure, she seemed to have reached a decision. She stepped forward again to join him, operating the computer alongside him.
"I hope you can deliver on your promise."
"Of course."
Mahiro agreed verbally, but couldn't help sighing inwardly:
"What a despicable person I am..."
Boom!
Beginning with an explosion, the war in Area Eleven commenced.
As if to sever this chain of hatred, the Black Knights clashed with Britannia's garrison forces.
Artillery fire shook the earth.
Corpses and Knightmare wreckage could be seen everywhere.
Though intended to cut away hatred, it only bred more resentment.
The once splendid and luxurious settlement had now been reduced to ruins.
All because Lelouch had flipped the floorboards again. Since the settlement used earthquake-resistant panel structures, Lelouch used his Geass to control the operations room personnel and directly dismantled the entire settlement!
Amid Lelouch's unrestrained maniacal laughter,
Within mere moments, over half of Britannia's military forces had become casualties, with civilian deaths too numerous to count.
Only a few small areas of the settlement remained intact.
At this moment, Lelouch resembled a demon god of destruction descending upon this land...